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Online Travel

AudioCompass to Use $400K in Seed Funding For Tour Guide Expansion

Dennis Schaal photo
Dennis Schaal
February 24th, 2014 at 11:30 AM EST

Skift Take

AudioCompass is certainly off to a strong start in India, and importantly its audio tour guide apps work offline. A challenge for the startup going forward is that it seems like there would be little barrier to entry among would-be competitors.

If it's good enough for the Taj Mahal and the government of India, then it likely will be appropriate for additional destinations and attractions, as well.

India startup AudioCompass, which serves as the official audio guide for the Taj Mahal, other UNESCO sites, and the India Ministry of Tourism's Incredible India campaign, received $400,000 in seed funding from Blume Ventures and Urrshila Kerkar, who has led Cox & Kings' leisure travel and online strategy.

AudioCompass states it plans to use the funding "to expand its destination coverage, strengthen its product development and fund new marketing initiatives."

The AudioCompass Guide apps, available for iOS and Android, offer audio tours of attractions and destinations. The focus to date has been on India.

Importantly for travelers, the audio tours can be downloaded on Wi-Fi and then can be used with no data connection at the attraction to avoid roaming charges or if no Wi-Fi is available.

Dennis Schaal photo
Dennis Schaal
February 24th, 2014 at 11:30 AM EST

Tags: mobile, startups, tours

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